Throwback photos: V-J Day celebrations in Madison

Americans celebrated V-J Day on Aug. 14, 1945, across the United States on the day the Allies announced the surrender of Japanese forces during World War II. Here's a look at what it was like in Madison that day 70 years ago.

V-J Day celebrations in Madison, 1945

Seaman 1st class Tom Teeley with newsboy, Bernard Ehrmann, hold copies of the Wisconsin State Journal with a headline declaring peace in the Pacific. They were celebrating V-J Day on Aug. 14, 1945, the day on which the Allies announced the surrender of Japanese forces during World War II. Wisconsin State Journal photographer Arthur Vinje captured the image.

State Journal archives

Extra! Extra! War in Pacific over!

The front page of the Wisconsin State Journal's extra edition printed the evening of Aug. 14, 1945, hours after Japan announced surrender in World War II.

Clayton Carlsen

V-J Day celebrations in Madison, 1945

Four soldiers, one with a liquor bottle and two others with noisemakers, stand on Capitol Square in Madison on Aug. 14, 1945, celebrating V-J Day. Americans celebrated the day the Allies announced the surrender of Japanese forces during World War II. This photo was taken by Wisconsin State Journal photographer Arthur Vinje.

V-J Day celebrations in Madison, 1945

Crowds gather at the corner of East Mifflin and North Pinckney streets in Madison on Aug. 14, 1945, celebrating V-J Day, the day the Allies announced the surrender of Japanese forces during World War II. The building on the corner is the Madison Hotel, and nearby are Woldenberg's and Walgreen Drugs. This photo was taken by Wisconsin State Journal photographer Arthur Vinje.

Wisconsin Historical Society Image 33747

V-J Day celebrations in Madison, 1945

Two sailors hug each other as Madison residents celebrate V-J Day on Aug. 14, 1945, when the Allies announced the surrender of Japanese forces during World War II. The sailor with his back to the camera is Seabee B. O. Pledger; the other sailor is unknown. Wisconsin State Journal photographer Arthur Vinje captured the image.

Wisconsin Historical Society Image 33741

V-J Day celebrations in Madison, 1945

Soldiers in Madison celebrate V-J Day on Aug. 15, 1945, the day on which the Allies announced the surrender of Japanese forces during World War II. Pictured here are Pfc. Arthur Lovinger, passenger in the front seat; Staff Sgt. Robert Hanke, passenger in the back seat; and Staff Sgt. Louis Kaminsky, driving a car. State Journal photographer Arthur Vinje shot the photo.

Wisconsin Historical Society Image 43911

V-J Day celebrations in Madison, 1945

A mass of cars turns from North Pinckney Street onto East Mifflin Street on the Capitol Square on Aug. 14, 1945, celebrating V-J Day. The car loaded with young people in the lower part of the picture was the first to circle the Square in the course of the hours-long spontaneous celebration, photographed by Wisconsin State Journal photographer Arthur Vinje.

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VJ Day celebrations in Madison, 1945

Josie Donovan, 4, blows a whistle to show her patriotism during the V-J Day celebration on Capitol Square in Madison. Her father was still a prisoner of war in the Pacific who hadn’t been heard from in 18 months.

ARTHUR M. VINJE — State Journal archives

V-J Day celebrations in Madison, 1945

Four young women in Madison blow on noise makers, with other people watching, celebrating V-J Day on Aug. 14, 1945, the day the Allies announced the surrender of Japanese forces during World War II. This photo was taken by Wisconsin State Journal photographer Arthur Vinje.

Wisconsin Historical Society Image 33744

V-J Day celebrations in Madison, 1945

Three women with noise makers in Madison join in the V-J Day celebration on Aug. 14, 1945, the day the Allies announced the surrender of Japanese forces during World War II. This photo was taken by Wisconsin State Journal photographer Arthur Vinje.

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V-J Day celebrations in Madison, 1945

Automobiles and a police officer are seen on West Mifflin Street in Madison as Americans celebrate V-J Day on Aug. 14, 1945, the day the Allies announced the surrender of Japanese forces during World War II. Wisconsin State Journal photographer Arthur Vinje took the photo.